Policy Context

Food security is defined not just by the availability of food, but by the access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.¹ Food insecurity affected nearly 3.5 million Australian households according to Foodbank in 2025,² and affected an estimated 17% of children in WA in 2023.³ Some populations are more vulnerable to food insecurity, including low-income families, people who are socially or geographically isolated, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people experiencing homelessness.⁴

The primary catalyst for food insecurity is the rising cost of living - particularly of food, energy and housing, and driven by factors such as natural disasters and unemployment.⁵ Food insecurity often leads to poor health outcomes as families compromise on food quality – for example reducing purchases of fresh produce for more energy-dense, low-nutrient alternatives, putting these households at a greater risk for chronic health conditions.²,⁴ For children, the short- and long-term effects of hunger and poor nutrition are profound, impacting not only physical growth and development but also academic engagement, social and cognitive functioning, and emotional wellbeing.⁴

Data on food insecurity and access to food can inform our understanding of children and young people's wellbeing. By mapping food insecurity, we gain insight into areas facing greater disadvantages that prevent children from reaching their full potential, informing policy, planning and service provision.